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Q.

I drive a (very) late 2006 Defender 90 Td5, which has both anti-lock brakes and traction control. What’s the working relationship between traction control and the centre differential lock? Will traction control work on both axles simultaneously, or just one at a time?

Also, if traction control is doing its job on both axles, then why would one wish to lock the centre diff? Finally, does the combination of traction control and diff lock now obviate the need for aftermarket axle diff locks, such as air lockers?

Terry Labuscagne South Africa

A.

Traction control and the centre diff lock work completely independently of each other. The Discovery 2 didn’t even have a centre diff lock until customers complained that it wasn’t there. I’ve driven a Disco 2 off-road and found the traction control dealt with all situations I threw at it. All I can guess is that people prefer the systems they’ve used for years and don’t trust modern-day electronics.

The traction control will work on all four wheels simultaneously, as the ABS/TC system recognises when any wheel loses grip and applies the brake gently until traction is restored. It may not be popular with some, but personally, I don’t feel the need for diff lockers on a vehicle that’s equipped with traction control. Andrew Varrall

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